In the light of the continued detention of Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari in an Iranian jail, Liberal MPs are urging the Canadian government to stand up for Canadians with dual citizenship and defend the rights of Canadians overseas.
“The Canadian government must do all it can to obtain Maziar Bahari’s release,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “Journalists reporting on public events cannot be treated like spies. Mr. Bahari holds a Canadian passport and is entitled to the rights and respect that go along with it.”
A respected filmmaker and journalist for Newsweek and the Washington Post, Mr. Bahari was arrested by Iranian police without charge on June 21st following pro-democracy protests against Iran’s fixed election result. On June 30th, he was presented by Iranian authorities at a press conference and made what was assumed to be a coerced confession. Mr. Bahari is one of more than 20 journalists who remain in custody in Iran.
“The Canadian government has provided no details on Mr. Bahari’s status when we have every reason to be concerned about his wellbeing,” said Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae. “The Canadian government must insist upon Mr. Bahari’s Canadian citizenship and obtain consular access to Mr. Bahari in order to ensure his human rights have been respected.”
